Request for Proposals: Nonprofit Real Estate Development Consulting Services

Response Due May 27, 2021, 12 PM (noon)

I. PURPOSE 

The Lamoille Community House (LCH) offers shelter, security, and hope to people experiencing homelessness. With dignity and kindness, we provide guests with a warm bed, nourishing meals, connection to services, and a safe space to discover their own path toward sustainable housing. 

LCH and its community partners, including the Vermont Continuum of Care, seek to purchase and develop property for use as a temporary shelter for houseless individuals and, in the future, families. LCH needs the services of a qualified consultant to assist the organization with the process of identifying, assessing, and securing funding to meet these goals. 

II. BACKGROUND 

3. SCOPE OF WORK

LCH is approaching year 5 of service for the community. Currently, LCH operates a seasonal warming shelter in Hyde Park, VT, from November to April. We are looking to secure a property to use as year-round emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Lamoille County.

To facilitate the development process, the scope of work involves:

1. Feasibility phase
   1. Consultant shall provide technical assistance in applying for Project Capacity Grants through VHCB and other resources.
   2. Consultant shall provide all services required to lead LCH’s staff and board of directors through the process of identifying and assessing suitable property for the shelter, its operations, and long-term vision including but not limited to:
      1. Securing resources to fund feasibility activities
      2. Guidance for negotiating purchase & sales agreement
      3. Coordination of professional services required to conduct thorough assessment that complies with federal environmental review regulations to the greatest extent feasible
      4. Financial projections to demonstrate feasibility of managing capital and operating costs

2. Pre-development phase
   1. Consultant shall provide all services required to lead LCH’s staff and board through the pre-development phase including, but not limited to:
      1. Activities required to secure site control
      2. Activities required to develop and submit grant funding applications to purchase and rehabilitate existing structures
      3. Procurement and coordination of all professional services needed that may include: architectural design, engineering, cost estimating, historic preservation assessments
      4. Creation of development budget and operating pro forma
      5. Facilitation of discussions with grant funding agencies regarding grant agreements and conditions

3. Project development
   1. Consultant shall provide all services required to lead LCH’s staff and board through the development phase including, but not limited to:
      1. Coordination of design and engineering professionals to complete designs, engineering, specifications, and hazmat control
      2. Support architect in bidding process and procure project management services if necessary/required
      3. Facilitate or directly manage grant funding systems for construction invoice payments
      4. Administer grants for compliance with all applicable regulations and conditions
      5. Ensure project completion in smooth and timely manner

4. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Consultants should have experience with financing mechanisms for affordable housing in Vermont, including for manufactured housing communities.  

Consultants must submit 

1. Resumes and the names and addresses of three references who are familiar with their ability, experience and reliability to do and complete the work tasks.

2. A work plan setting out their approach and identification of major tasks and deliverables.  If more than one individual will do the work plan, the plan should set out the roles and expertise of the different individuals.

3. Estimated hours of consultant time, hourly rate, and a not-to-exceed price.

5. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

All proposals will be evaluated by LCH staff and representatives of the Board of Directors using the criteria below.  The successful candidate(s) will have the following experience:

• Experience and knowledge of nonprofit property development process, affordable housing, and shelter funding/finance opportunities in Vermont
• Experience and knowledge of the Vermont Community Development Program
• Experience evaluating the long-term sustainability of operating shelter, temporary and permanent housing
• Experience procuring and coordinating development teams and contractors. 

Proposals will be ranked on the following criteria:

• Demonstration of overall project understanding and knowledge of affordable housing and shelters.
• History of successful projects with similar scopes of work.
• Qualifications and related experience of the consultant(s) and other personnel to be assigned to this project
• Clarity/quality of the proposal 
• Able to start work in June
• Reasonableness of price

6. TIMELINE

1. Submission of proposals and related materials by May 27, 2021 at noon
2. Selection of consultant(s) by  May 31, 2021
3. Work on the project to begin in June, 2021

7. CONTACT PERSON

Please submit an electronic copy of proposal to the contact person on behalf of LCH: Kim Anetsberger, Executive Director, at kanetsberger@lamoilleshelter.org , with copies to: Anna Kern, LCH board secretary at kernaaj@gmail.com

By noon on  May 27, 2021

Please email any questions to Kim Anetsberger; no phone calls please.